Jeff Bradley, chief of AT&T's hardware devices division, stated that the Lumia 900 would make a big splash on AT&T’s wireless network at launch. "At all levels, this is a notch above anything we've ever done," sad Bradley in a CNET interview this week. "Before you walk in to the store, you know this is our hero phone. We're going big. We're really bullish."

We're not sure if this $100 instant rebate on the unreleased Lumia 900 is a glitch or just AT&T being extremely generous with its flagship Windows Phone device. However, if you're at all interested in Nokia's latest and greatest now is the time to pre-order.

As for those who are going to chime in b!tching about AT&T, yea yea, sure. But let me tell you Sprint is every bit as bad. They tried to screw me over every step of the way -- connection fees, random service charges, text message fraud (literally). I almost considered suing them over the latter offensive, it was so flagrant.

The final offense was when they cut my unlimited data. I generally was under 5 GB (I'd say 3 GB on avg.), but the extra security was important to me. I was being a good customer and paying to tether, but when they killed my unlimited more or less lost both my tether fee and me as a customer.

I have several friends in my area who have AT&T Uverse and its way cheaper than Comcast -- you get a big bundle discount if you're a wireless subscriber -- so I'm going to go full in.

A quick follow up note to those who are following in suit, be extra careful to follow the link to the deal IN THE SAME TAB.

If you don't visit that page within the tab you check out in, you WILL NOT receive the deal. It is not enough to simply order it and check out -- I almost made that mistake, because I had clicked the $100 off link in another tab, only caught it when I was review my acct. @ checkout.

quote: So they killed unlimited data for you? What did they do, kill tethering, charge you more, cap the speed??? This is sprint you are referring to right?

Yes they cut unlimited tethering, but that was not my biggest gripe.

My biggest gripe (outlined below) was that they willfully promoted text message fraud against my account which they profited off of (premium messages I did not solicit). I had heard about that kind of thing happening in Russia -- actually did an article on it, ironically, but had no idea a carrier would try to pull that antic in the U.S.

When I contacted Sprint their reps were quite belligerent about it and resistant to taking of the charges. I eventually threatened to sue them for breach of contract, as what they were doing seemed clearly illegal based on my reading of the contract. At that point they agreed to drop the charges and ban premium messages to my account.

But when I insistently asked if they were going to ban that spammer from sending messages to other customers they argued that some customers WANTED to receive nonsensical messages that cost $10 each from that shady number.

HAHA, yea right. Sure Sprint.

Anyhow, I wrote a story on this that got a lot of comments and attention and other subscribers shared similar experiences.

Despite this, and personally reaching out to Sprint, they refused to talk to me about the story or even dignify an email response to me.

This more or less confirmed to me that they were deliberate allowing the spammers to blatantly defraud their customers as they were in on the scheme -- they got a cut of the fee.

So yes, their random long-distance fees they started charging me mid-contract, and their decision to drop unlimited tethering (which I appreciated from a security standpoint) was annoying and unappreciated, but that was not my primary reason for ditching Sprint.

Again my primary reason for ditching them is that they tried to defraud me for profit, and then refused to address or try to remedy the situation when I reported on this issue.

I cannot support or patronize a company that commits blatant fraud against its customers.

Thus I cannot support Sprint any longer, as much as I would have liked to have a good experience at them as I typically root for the underdog.

You can believe my story or not, but I feel I was doing my fellow customers a service by warning them of this malicious -- and in my non-lawyer opinion, illegal --behavior.

Plus AT&T Uverse is much cheaper cable internet/TV wise in my area than Comcast, so the bundled discount made the decision that much easier for me.

Sounds like a great deal. If anything, I hope it motivates Google to improve their stuff. I guess ICS is vastly improved but more can be done. We'll see if the 18 months requirement is enforced for stuff like the HTC One series (though it seems at least their 1 year old stuff is getting ICS).

Sounds like a great deal. If anything, I hope it motivates Google to improve their stuff. I guess ICS is vastly improved but more can be done. We'll see if the 18 months requirement is enforced for stuff like the HTC One series (though it seems at least their 1 year old stuff is getting ICS).

Yea, I liked my EVO 4G quite a bit, no hard feelings there. It was a nice little Android, will miss it!

Although, I'll still probably keep it around as an app testing device, though, so it might not be completely retired yet. :)

ICS is nice, but I think Google can push the bounds a bit more in the UI space. More competition is always a good thing... I'm pretty excited to spend some more time with the core WP apps and compare and contrast my UI experience, coming from Android.

I'd definitely consider another Android in the future, but I like WP, the limited time I've spent with it -- plus this deal was too sweet to pass up... Been plotting my Sprint exit for a while, so the time seemed right.

quote: Although, I'll still probably keep it around as an app testing device, though, so it might not be completely retired yet. :)

Cell phones without wireless plans still have lots of neat uses with your Wifi. You can Skype with them etc etc. Also Logitech Harmony remotes can suck it, NOTHING makes a better universal remote than a smartphone with a good remote app.

What I want to know is your thoughts on the Marketplace and the general environment. To say Windows Phone's developer base is sparse is being kind. Aside from the most basic aspects of browsing and email and the like, do you feel WP7 provides all the support for any eventuality you might come across? Gaming of any type appear to be virtually non-existent in Windows Phone as well, especially 3D.

You're a braver man than I am. With how Microsoft treated the Zune, a platform I really grew to love, then threw it under the bus when it didn't become a world beater despite their neglect....I just wouldn't take the risk of them killing off yet another failing project right after I commit to it. By this point in time Android already hit like 20% market share. How long is Microsoft going to keep this brick afloat and will history repeat itself.

I don't really find the marketplace lacking that much at all. The biggest thing that I see as missing are mobile banking applications. Some exist, but not with any company that I bank with.

I will admit that I don't game a ton (at least with respect to large major games) on my phone, but the games that I do play I've enjoyed quite a bit (I have at least 20 loaded on there and I play some regularly perhaps at least once a week).

I feel that the platform is very strong and it offers quite a bit of functionality in a very easy to use interface, and the performance is utterly amazing. It isn't very easy to imagine, but my first gen WP device frequently outperforms in regular usage much more advanced (spec wise) Android phones. Just basic functionality like opening up a web browser, loading a site, zooming and scrolling that site, scrolling through text messages, etc.

I highly recommend it. My wife uses it too and she enjoys it as well, and she isn't a very technically inclined individual at all.

quote: Sounds like a great deal. If anything, I hope it motivates Google to improve their stuff.

Windows Phone's market share, which is so small Nielsen doesn't even list it, is going to motivate Google to make improvements? I think you have that the other way around. Microsoft needs to get motivated.

I went with Sprint because they have unlimited data, plain and simply. If you're going to bother getting a 4G phone, I don't see the logic in dealing with data caps or throttling. But man Jason, sounds like you had a terrible experience. I certainly wouldn't recommend a company who did that to me.

You had better be careful, or you can prove that they were "in on the scam".

I don't live in your country, but I'm quite sure you can't go round making claims that companies or people are in on scams to defraud people without some legitimate evidence.

I wouldn't say because they didn't reply to your email as evidence of them being in collusion with fraudsters.

No-one here has seen your email, it could have been abusive, which is why they didn't reply. In which case I don't blame them.

You could have used your "weight" in the media to get extra allowances not provided for anyone else. Special treatment so to speak with the threat of "blackmail" if they didn't.

I'm sure you personally are above that, but I still wouldn't put it past you. You are human. And humans can, and do, crazy things.

So I would like to see more evidence from you that they are in collusion with Spammers, rather than take it as verbatim they did not reply to one of your emails that we have no way of knowing just why they didn't reply.

I believe Jason is saying they are "in on the scam" because they get a cut of the premium text messages.

Since he stated that was his belief in his post (that being in on the scam means you are profiting from the scam) he should be ok.

Worst case at this point is Sprint sends a cease and desist letter possibly requesting/requiring a retraction. In the event that Jason does not the issue would go to court for slander, which would be hard to make stick and would be bad publicity.

I expect Sprint will not do anything, though I would encourage them (and all cell phone companies) to provide an easy way to maintain their list of premium text subscriptions (like a list on their web portal or an app which allows the user to approve/block services using a special pin).

I had this text messaging scam done to me as well. Sprint credited me the money back, but, like with you, Sprint will not just ban this company's numbers because some people are willing... But they did tell me how to block these numbers. (I believe there were three.) Well, at the end of the day, I did get my money back.

You realize that every wireless provider has the problem with premium SMS scammers right? The premium SMS shortcodes are a service that needs to just go away. I block them completely on my 2 lines, because there's no point other than to vote for american idol and donate to the red cross.

Good luck with AT&T, they will gladly screw you over even more. I would personally love to have access to GSM devices, that is their only advantage if you live in an area where Sprint or Verizon have better coverage (which is almost everywhere).

I read your story about Sprint, and I'm not sure you can blame that on Just Sprint.

I had a charge on my Sprint account about 2-3 years ago. It was for texting to a 6 digit number by my daughter to get a chance at something free. A $9.99 charge. When I called they said that these 5-6 digit text numbers ALWAYS charge you, they had no trouble removing the charge, and then suggested I block that ability for our fmaily to text to these numbers.

SO In all the 8 plus years I've been with Sprint, I really can't complain, and I still get umlimited service with them.

Call me when Verizon offers this phone. Preferably in red or a darker blue, although I'll settle for black. Who am I kidding, if cyan was the only color option I'd still probably get it, if it was on Verizon. I got to spend some time with one, it's very nice. Love the camera and the screen is good too.

I've got FiOS so switching to AT&T would cost me more, not to mention the service isn't quite as reliable in some spots here - although it's pretty close.

quote: I've got FiOS so switching to AT&T would cost me more, not to mention the service isn't quite as reliable in some spots here - although it's pretty close.

Yea, I hear that... the Uverse internet/cable bundle was a big reason why I switched. Verizon and AT&T are tricky snaring us in with those kinds of bundles. ;)

Anyhow, yea normally I would think the cyan was obnoxious, but I somewhat fancy it as I think it goes well with the Metro UI/Windows Phone vibe. Would LOVE an Xbox-y green version (even though I'm more of a PS3/Wii player myself), but Cyan shall do quite nicely.

quote: Blast. If I wasn't a loyal Verizon subscriber I'd get this sucker in a hot second. Damn you AT&T!

Wasn't a hard choice for me. After Sprint tried to defraud me by supporting premium text message fraud against my account, they pretty much were on notice.

When they killed unlimited tethering, that made my choice all the easier.

I would advise no one in their right mind to sign up with Sprint. Their representatives were more than happy to defend text message fraud, arguing that some of their customers "want" to get charged $10 for each nonsensical message from a couple of offenders. I came to later find out that they (Sprint) get A CUT for everyone of these fees. No wonder they were so eager to rip me off.

While the eventually removed the charges for me under threat of breach of contract lawsuit, their actions were illegal, and I have certainly not forgotten. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. You will not fool me twice Sprint, with your illegal abuse.

Sprint is a company that is more than happy to resort to blatant fraud to get your money.

Whoever you pick, I would advise NOT picking Sprint, no matter how evil the rest of the pack seem.

That's just my experience, hopefully it will be helpful to some prospective buyers.

Yeah I just tried to buy it. Turns out ATT only offers the $100 discount to new customers... even if you're an existing customer and not in contract like me. So for me to get this deal, I literally have to cancel my ATT account and make a new one. Stupid.

This is from the ATT chat: Skip to end for punch lineAT&T sales representatives are happy to assist you with your questions. Click below to begin your live text chat.

AT&T sales representatives will not have access to your personal account. This service is provided to you under AT&Ts Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.You are now chatting with Janell, an AT&T sales representative.Stephen: hi JannellStephen: JanellJanell: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?Stephen: im trying to add a nokia 900 to my cart and keep my existing plan but it keeps telling me i need to add a planJanell: I would be happy to provide you some information on upgrading. Are you currently logged into your account?Stephen: yesJanell: Were you able to click on the upgrade link?Stephen: ok I just got it in my cartStephen: but it doesnt include the 100$ discountStephen: http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/deals/100savings....Stephen: from thereJanell: You would not be able to receive this 100.00 promotion when upgrading.Stephen: so should I cancel my plan and make a new plan?Janell: You would be able to do so but, if you are still in contract you would pay early termination fees.Stephen: im not in contractJanell: Then you are able to go through the process of placing an order like a new customer without logging into your account. Once you place your order you can contact customer care to cancel your current account.Stephen: hmm. it seems silly to have to cancel my account and make a new one just to get a discountJanell: You would be able to upgrade to the device if you are eligible for 99.99.Stephen: yeah I see that... so the device is 99.99 for existing customers, but free (after the discount) for new customers? Stephen: in that case, if you're an existing customer without a contract... it makes more sense to cancel your account with ATT and make a new one?Janell: Yes, that is correct.Stephen: Wow.Stephen: that makes no sense.Janell: Again, I do apologize.

not uncommon. almost every carrier has the same stupid restrictions. I used to work in a call center for sprint, and people used to complain about that all the time. I know the canadian carriers have stupid deals that want you to do that too. (im canadian)

I bought a GS2 from AT&T when they first offered it. I am actualy very dissapointed in the phone. I owned an iphone 3gs prior and, even though it is a much better phone, it leaves so much that needs improving.

I consider the GS2 a lag/ad phone. Pressing the power button then having to wait 3 seconds or more for the phone to respond is beyond annoying to me. All the ads that Google is trying to shove down my throat is sickening.

I went to an AT&T store today and played with an HTC Titan. This phone is generations better than my GS2. I was floored by how smooth the GUI is on the phone. What really got me is this is the only phone, after trying countless Android, iphones, and Blackberries, that will actualy load my work portal website.

I guess I will be buying a Windows phone 1.5 years before my contract is finished. This is how big of a difference I see in the Windows phones.

I get unlimited tether for free on my EVO and always have. Its a little app from the Play store called "EasyTether" which allows me to use my phones data connection on the computer (no the phone does not have to be rooted either).

I have had premium texts blocked on my account since the first day I had it because I fell prey to a similar scam by Verizon several years ago.

So the text issue is not a "Sprint" problem bur rather a "Carrier" problem and you will likely encounter it on any carrier here in the US.

As for Android though I am completely 100% done and as soon as Sprint gets a good LTE WP7 phone out I am getting one. Sorry but I am not leaving Sprint until they get rid of unlimited data as right now I can get away with 2-5gb a week without throttling or overages!!!!!!